Many libraries have a movie license to show films at library programs. Here are some ways to add movie showings to library programs to get the most benefit from the money spent for your movie license. Some of these ideas are my own, and some were adapted from a PUBYAC listserv compilation posted by Emily E. Bacon of the Kanawha County Library.

If your library is interested in purchasing a movie license, there are two major companies that provide this service. They are Movie Licensing USA: http://www.movlic.com/ and the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation: http://www.mplc.org/. Go to their websites for information on how to obtain a license, costs, movie titles covered under that company’s license, and more. Both companies list great resource material on their sites, from publicity ideas to checklists for library programming.

Even though families can obtain DVDs from the library, or from Netflix, people still enjoy watching a movie together as a community event. Sell refreshments as a way to offset some of the costs, and to make it more like a “real” movie theatre event (the Friends of the Library may want to do this as a fundraiser).

For your tween or teen book discussion clubs, show a film based on the book everyone has read for that month’s meeting.

For tween book clubs, you might show the following films:How to Train Your Dragon The Adventures of Tin Tin Diary of a Wimpy KidMr. Popper’s PenguinsRamona and BeezusThe Chronicles of NarniaPercy Jackson and the OlympiansNim’s IslandBecause of Winn DixieCity of EmberCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryBridge to TerebithiaLegend of the Guardians: the Owls of Ga’HooleHoot Holes

Teen book clubs would enjoy:The Hunger GamesTwilightHarry Potter and the Deathly HallowsThe Chronicles of NarniaAquamarineStormbreakerSecret Life of BeesCheaper by the DozenPersuasionThe Call of the Wild Sherlock HolmesBlood and Chocolate

Holiday vacation movie showings can be an easy way to draw in a wide age range, and remind families to use the library when school is not in session. Movie theatres are packed when school is out, and libraries can draw an equally enthusiastic crowd. Try some of these films:

Easter/Spring Break:HopGnomeo and JulietSecret of the Wings (Tinkerbell)Dr. Seuss’s The LoraxUp

Summer vacation is also a great time to show movies. Schedule films at different days and times to see when you draw the largest crowd. Saturday matinees are a natural, but you might also see a big turnout on a weeknight, when parents are home from work and seeking fun and free things to do with their kids.

Movies to coincide with displays: Do a movie showing that celebrates a big book display. For example, if you do a Black History Month display, show the film Red Tails, which celebrates the Tuskegee Airmen. Or show one of the films nominated for an Academy Award a week or two before the Oscar telecast, to go along with a display of film appreciation books. Another fun display could be done for “Talk Like a Pirate” day in September, to pair with a showing of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Black History Month:Ruby Bridges Pride Remember the Titans March On! Akeelah and the Bee

Women’s History Month:A League of Their Own The Miracle Worker Amelia Brave

Presidents (more for teens and adults):Lincoln All the President’s Men You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown (for kids)

Pirates:Pirates of the Caribbean Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything The Pirates: Band of Misfits

Do movie singalongs: A new, popular take on a library movie showing is to hold a “sing-along movie” event. This takes place when the library shows a movie musical on DVD, activating the DVD’s captions, so the audience can sing along during the musical numbers. Many movie musicals on DVD come with a special feature where only the lyrics show up as captions, in bold colors, so the audience knows it is time to join in. You can make it even more exciting if staff, volunteers, and even the audience dress in costumes relating to the movie.

Possible movies:The Sound of Music The Wizard of Oz Grease The Muppets Enchanted Mary Poppins

Make it a Movie Party: Why show a movie at the library if DVDs can be checked out and watched at home? The communal experience of watching a movie in a group setting is one reason, and if you add elements to make a library movie program more exciting you will have an even more memorable program. Here are some fun things to do before or after the movie showing: hold a trivia contest about the movie, discuss how the movie compares to the book, make T-shirts relating to the movie, such as Team Jacob and Team Edward shirts to go with Twilight.

Classic Movies: Show some old classic movies that appeal to tweens, teens, and adults (including seniors). You can cover a genre each week over the summer, from mysteries like Maltese Falcon to musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to screwball comedies like Sullivan’s Travels. And finally, have some DVD displays on these same topics, so families can have their own film festivals at home!